High School Sports

Aptos High senior guards Jaylen Dang and Jasmine Ackerman earned spots on the all-Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League First Team in a recent vote by the league basketball coaches.  Dang averaged 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the Mariners (17-10, 6-4), who placed...

For the past three years, Dominic Pierini has experienced just one winning season as the starting quarterback for the Monte Vista Christian football program.   It came in 2023 when the 6-foot-3,195-pound slinger led them to a 6-4 overall record and on the brink of qualifying...

St. Francis High senior Julian Vargas and a group of other local high school runners put on a strong performance at the 34th CIF State Cross Country Championships on Saturday morning.  Vargas, who qualified as individual, took 12th out of 205 runners in 15 minutes,...

WATSONVILLE—St. Francis High baseball coach Ken Nakagawa knew going into this season they were not expected to win the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Mission Division over teams such as Alisal, Monte Vista Christian and Soledad. But this particular group, especially the senior class, had already...

CUPERTINO—The story of the underdog beating the favorite usually ends with the former barely sneaking by the latter to pull off a historic upset.  However, there was no need for a dramatic last-minute, game-winning drive for No. 7 St. Francis High as it cruised to...

The Pajaronian's Athletes of the Week were selected based on their performances during the week of Sept. 16-22. Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to submit nominations to sports editor Juan Reyes at [email protected].  Boys Javier Fonseca (Sr.), St. Francis  The Sharks’ starting quarterback accounted for three...

The Aptos High boys’ soccer team is off to a hot start after a 2-1 win against North Salinas High in non-league action on Nov. 27. Joey Mackle scored on a cross from Chuy Muñoz 55 seconds into the match that gave the Mariners an...

This week’s edition of the Pajaronian Sports Ticker highlights local prep athletes for their performances during the week of Feb. 13-19.  Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to submit scores and stats to [email protected]. Follow sports editor Juan Reyes on Twitter @jmreyes831 for scores and...

APTOS—Aptos High starting pitcher Gabe Gaeckle last week had a career day on the mound with 16 strikeouts.  The junior ace gave up two hits and one walk for the Mariners baseball team in its 10-0 smashing victory against Burlingame in non-league action March 26. Reed...

St. Francis is hosting Watsonville this weekend for the anticipated start of Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division-North play.  The crosstown rivals will square off on Borina Field on Saturday afternoon at 12:30pm. “Being able to play other high schools in your city is what high...